Chelsea Salvages Late Draw Against Inter: Lesley Ugochukwu’s Last-Minute Goal Rescues Blues
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/12th August 2024
Chelsea’s pre-season preparations ended on a positive note as Lesley Ugochukwu scored a late equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw against Inter Milan in their final friendly match. Despite an uneven pre-season campaign, this result provided a much-needed boost ahead of the Premier League season.
Inter Milan initially took the lead in the first half, with Marcus Thuram finding the back of the net against the run of play. Chelsea dominated the early stages, with Marc Guiu coming close to scoring. However, it was Inter who struck first. In the 26th minute, Joaquin Correa was given too much space to advance toward the Chelsea defense, eventually setting up Thuram. The French striker controlled the ball smoothly and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner, leaving Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with no chance.
Despite Chelsea’s dominance in possession and creating several opportunities, they struggled to make their efforts count in the first half. They registered nine shots but failed to seriously challenge Inter’s goalkeeper, Yann Sommer. The Serie A champions went into halftime with a slender lead, having been more clinical in front of goal.
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, made several changes at the break, aiming to turn the tide in the second half. One of the key introductions was Cole Palmer, last season’s top scorer for Chelsea, who made his return to first-team action after representing England in Euro 2024. Palmer’s presence added a spark to Chelsea’s attack, and the Blues intensified their efforts to find an equalizer.
Levi Colwill almost brought Chelsea level early in the second half, only to see his effort strike the post. Christopher Nkunku then attempted a spectacular bicycle kick, forcing a smart save from Sommer, who was alert to the danger. The pressure from Chelsea continued to mount as they searched for a way back into the game.
Their persistence finally paid off in the closing moments. Palmer delivered a well-placed free-kick into the box, which found its way to Ugochukwu, who had come on as a substitute. Ugochukwu didn’t waste the opportunity, calmly slotting the ball into the net to secure a late equalizer for Chelsea in the 90th minute. The goal was a fitting reward for Chelsea’s relentless efforts and ensured they avoided a pre-season defeat.
While Chelsea managed to salvage a draw, their pre-season campaign has been far from ideal. They have won only one of their six friendly matches, drawing two and losing three. Despite these mixed results, there were positive takeaways from their performance against Inter. The return of key players like Palmer is a significant boost ahead of their Premier League opener against Manchester City.
However, Maresca will be concerned about Chelsea’s inefficiency in front of goal. The Blues registered an expected goals (xG) total of 2.27 but only managed to score once, highlighting their struggles to convert chances into goals. With just seven of their 21 shots on target, there is room for improvement in their attacking play.
As Chelsea prepares for the upcoming season, they will need to sharpen their finishing if they hope to compete at the highest level. The draw against Inter Milan, while encouraging, also serves as a reminder that there is work to be done before the Premier League kicks off.
